The Others

Reiko's eyes flashed, and he felt himself get out of control. "My Mother was a nurse," he snapped. "At a hospital. She was helping a Herskon--helping, as in helping it get better--when it killed her." He stopped abruptly, realized what he was saying, but it was too late to stop now. "Before she died, she told my father, a cop, to protect us from them. she said they were like wounded animals, who struck out at anyone trying to help them." He was panting now, and he felt his anger smolder. He had no idea what had pushed him into saying that; it had been his and his sister's secret for a long time. Not even Officer Rendon knew what had happened to his Mother.

"Your mother made a generalization," Geomana said her voice softening, "did you ever talk to the Herkson? Or anybody for that matter? Or did they just assume that it was a ferocious beast and kill it on the spot?"

"I think option two."

"You know we're more alike than you think, you and I. As well as our species."

"How?"

"For one, we've both lost people very close to us."

"How did your mother die? It couldn't be worse than what happened to mine."

Tears welled behind Geomana's eyes, "you...I can't talk about it." Abruptly she turned and ran down the hall before she began to sob. Sano paused only for a moment before following her.

Rieko watched them go, then swore explosively and tore the rest of the bandages off his leg. His mother had been so mangled that, as a child, they wouldn't allow him to see her. Even his father wasn't allowed, but he had talked them into it. He was really shaken. Officer Rendon had somehow gotten him a day off before allowing him back to work. For the last time.
Rieko sighed and rubbed his head. The war between Others and humans would go on forever, he was sure of it. There didn't seem to be any other option.

He sighed and struggled to get up from the ground, but his leg hurt too much to try and stand. He sat in the halway, trying to shove away tears, like he had been doing for years.

Sano caught up to Geomana and stopped her with a hug. She started to sob. "He...we..." She couldn't finish the sentence, or even find a sentence to say. When she was calm enough to speak she said, "theres a reason Kresko's so protective of me." She sobbed a little more. "Its my fault my parents are dead. Because I messed up, because I got angry, because I was found out." She started sobbing so hard that Sano had to support her so she wouldn't fall.

Sano held her tight in his arms not wanting to let go, "If you blame yourself, then the pain will never go away."

"What would you know!" She snapped leaving his hold. She started to cry, but tried to hold back her tears.

Sano looked down and away, "Better than you think." He looked into her eyes with sadness and sorrow as her remembered that fateful day. "If you were the cause of your parents death, at least you didn't kill them with your own hand."

Geomana looked shocked and a little afraid, "What do you mean?"

"My family is believed to be one of the oldest families of the Herskon blood line. I don't know much about it, but from what I understand..." He paused to take a deep breath, "Our race is cursed."

Geomana didn't even speak. She simply stood there not wanting to move a muscle. Sano's eyes were different, she could tell. Not full of love and kindness, but death and destruction.

"It's said that we will eventually revert back into the animal in which resides inside us, like a demon. From what I understand I lost myself and murdered my own family."

Geomana ran at him and grabbed him, "Sano." She wasn't able to say anything else because of her crying.

"To lose yourself is our curse. To forget the reason we are still living, that is our burden. What ever it takes I will save you Geomana. You and everyone else."

"Can you back up your words?" Sano turned to see Reiko standing there leaning against the wall.

Geomana didn't understand what Sano was saying, she'd ask him about it when she was a little more calm. Whatever happened to him wasn't his fault, he was too...too sweet to be what he claimed to be.

"What do you mean Reiko?" Sano asked.

"Are you serious about saving everyone?"

Sano nodded.

Reiko turned and walked away.

"Sano," Geomana whispered, "I don't understand what you're saying. How do you plan to save us all? And from what?"

He looked down, "My father believed that everyone had a curse set upon them. He used to say 'One who cannot save himself is in no position to save others.' At first I don't understand, but now I think I do. Geomana, don't give up and don't let your sadness stay your feet. If you can't pick yourself up, how can I save you." Smiling he walked off for the main deck.

"Where are you going?"

"To watch the sun set."

Geomana followed him. They didn't speak until the sun had set. Thats when Geomana was sure about at least one thing.

"Sano," she said turning to face him, "no matter your past actions, or your present corse, I love you, and I will help you. I will do anything that you need me to do." She took his hand. "If you truly believe you're cursed, I'll do everything necessary to break it."

Sano looked at her, his eyes soft and loving, yet he didn't speak.

Reiko limped down the hall, cursing as the rocking boat slammed him from wall to wall, and swearing loudly as another rocking motion threw him to the ground. He tried to get up again, then hissed in pain as it rocked again, twisting his leg in a painful position. He muttered angrily as he sat, rubbing his sore leg. He didn't know boats swayed so much. Other people seemed rather used to it, or at least they were able to take the unexpected throws of motion without their leg crumbling under them.

Finally, trying to ignore the pain, Reiko pulled himself up using the wall and wandered the halls. Several times he saw stairs, which he knew led to the deck, and as much as he wanted to see what was up there, he didn't think that he could handle the stairs. He continued down the halls, looking for somewhere to sleep.

*I aint got nothing else...*

Sano didn't speak. Instead he kissed Geomana's forehead and walked off. He needed to be alone. Before he went below deck he turned and smiled at her so she wouldn't worry.

Putting his hands in his pockets he decided to walk the lower hallways. A few crew men were walking around, but other than that the hallways were empty and for that he was thankful. He wanted to be left alone for a bit.

While walking he came across Reiko struggling to move around the ship. Lowering his head he remembered what has happened the past few days. The way he tortured Geomana, betrayed her trust, and almost killed her. Clenching his fist he felt as if he would kill him.

Walking closer he was ready to rip him to shreds, but before he moved another inch he remembered something his father once told him. [b]They only fear what they don't understand. Repeating their actions won't change anything. Forgiveness will be the miracle that shall lift the darkness of this world.

Instead of grabbing his throat Sano put his hand on Reiko's shoulder, "Need a hand?"

Geomana looked mournfully at where Sano had been. She concidered following him, but she got the feeling that he wanted to be alone.

Her hunger rose again and she made it to the kitchen. The kitchen staff was strangely eager to fix her a full lunch. Roast beef and mashed potatoes. Very strange for a ship.

She didn't see Sano for the rest of the day, and she decided to sit up on deck and watch the sun set.

Reiko shrugged off his hand and started to curse him out, but he took a deep breath and pushed his pride behind him. It had gotten him into trouble too many times. "I'm good, but thank you," he said, leaning heavily against the wall.

Sano looked at Reiko with remorse. Some how he felt he had done this. At least a part of it. "I'm sorry."

Reiko turned his head stunned, "What?"

"In a way, I caused some of the pain you're in right know." Sano put his hand on Reiko's shoulder, "It appears I'm not doing a good job to fallow my dream."

Reiko brushed aside Sano's hand and began to walk away, but stopped and turned, "Don't stop trying. I want to see if you mean what you say for myself."

Sano nodded and walked away.

Geomana's hands itched for a phone, she wanted to talk to Kresko. He'd be furious, but there was no turning back now. Even though he was an over-protective heavy-handed jerk most of the time, he was still her brother and she loved him.

She wished he wasn't as protective as he was, but she couldn't blame him. Mentally she went back to when she was a nurse...

"You're Herkson!" one of her patiences shouted.

Geomana tried to calm him down but he wouldn't. He pulled out a gun and shot her. If Kresko hadn't come to visit her at work-and bring her her lunch- he would've shot her again.

Somehow Kresko managed to get her home, but it didn't go unnoticed. That night humans surrounded the house. Her parents distracted them giving them a chance to get away. But Geomana refused to leave without her parents, in the end her brothers had to carry her off.

They spent the night in the bar that led to below ground, and the next day they went back to gather their belongings and their parents, only to find their mangled corpses on the porch.

Just thinking about the sight of her parents bodies made her start to sob.

Sano made his way up to the top deck where he spotted Geomana. He went to run at her, but realized she was crying. Softening his expression he walked up to her and hugged her from behind. She grabbed his arms.

Neither spoke for a while, but Geomana finally broke the silence, "I miss Kresko."

Sano went digging in his pocket and pulled out the cell phone he had given him. He gave it to her, "Your brother gave me this. the numbers in the phone, so you can call him."

Geomana gave him a quick kiss and began to dial the number. the tears gone from her eyes the phone began to ring.

(Hope that helps.)